Clothes-washing machine



5 Sheets-Sheet l zzvmvron George P Gasfner G. P. CASTNER CLOTHES WASHINGMACHINE FIG.

Oct. 7, 1952 Filed Oct. 18, 1949 Oct. 7, 1952 p, CASTNER 2,612,767

CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l Q 0 0 6*[O O O Q INVENTOR. H O O O O O O O George P Gas/ner Oct. 7, 1952 G. P.CASTNER CLOTHES-WASHING MACHINE Filed Oct. 18, 1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 1fun" vi Il/l/ l 5 m, u A

INVENTOR. George P Gasfner Patented Oct. 7, 1952 UNITED STATES,

cLornEs-wAsniNG MACHINE George P. Castner, Webster City, Iowa 7Appiication ()ctober 18, 1949, Serial No. 122,118

12' Claims.

1 The present invention relates to clothes washing machines, and moreparticularly, to improved clothes washing machines of the character ofthat disclosed in the copendingapplication of George P. Castner, SerialNo. 110,570, 1

filedAugust 16, 1949, and now abandoned. I Fundamentally, the clotheswashing machine disclosed in the Castner application mentioned ingmechanism of the squeeze type that is of'ime removal-of the clothes withrespect to the tub.

Also, the machine comprises washing mechanism including a substantiallydisk-like dash'er arranged in an upstanding position in the tub adjacentto a side wall thereof and mounted for operation directly on the sidewall. An. electric drive motor is arranged below the tub and issupported directly thereby, and a drive connection is provided betweenthe motor and the dasher. In the machine, the top wall, the tub, thedasher, the motor and the drive connection constitute a subassemblycarried and supported entirely by the upper end of the housing. Further,a cover is mounted on the top wall for movements between open and closedpositions with respect to the top openings mentioned. Finally, a handoperated wringer isinounted on the underside'of the cover and is movablethere with through the registering top openings be tween operative andstorage positions, the wringer being disposed above the top wall in itsoperative position when the cover occupies its open position, and beingdisposed within the tub in its storage position when the cover occupiesits closed position. a While this machine is highly satisfactory inoperation and economical to manufacture, the necessary handling of theclothes and the manual operation of the wringer are somewhatinconvenient. v

Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to providea clothes washing machine of the character described that incorporatesa. tub provided with a clothes and wash water receiving chamber and animproved power operated water extracting mechanism, whereby,

' clothes of theclothes, and entirely by the power operated washingandwater extracting mechanisms.

Another object of the invention is to "provide in aclothes washingmachine of the type'noted, mechanism that is selectively operativeinitially to adjust the effective volume of the chamber dependent uponthe load of the clothes to be washed and that is operative subsequentlyto enfect extraction of the wash water fromw-the clothes after they havebeen washed. i-

Another object of the invention is'toprovide fclothes washin'g'machine,a water extracts proved construction and arrangement so thatitheoperation thereof to express the water from the is substantiallyindependent of the load of, the clothes contained in the tub."

, A further object of the invention is to provide in a clothes washingmachine includingwashing mechanism and Water extracting mechanism, animproved control arrangement for the mech- .en'd'thereof, as asubassembly, the tub and the operating elements of the machine that are,in a turn, carried by the tub Further features of the invention pertainto the particular arrangement of the elements of the clothesWashingmachine and of the elementsof the control system therefor,whereby the aboveoutlined and additional operating features there of areattained.

The invention, both as to its organizationand' method of operation,together with furtherobafter a washing operation has been performed uponthe clothes in the chamber, a water extracting operationmay be performedupon the clothes in the chamber, all without handling jects andadvantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to thefollowing specification taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings, in which Figure 1 is a vertical 'sectional view of a clotheswashing machine, taken longitudinally of the tub, and embodying-the,present invention; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view, partly brokenaway, of the machine, taken transversely ofthe tub in the direction ofthe arrows along the line 2-2 in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is. a

fragmentary vertical sectional view of the upper portion of the machine,taken transverselyo'f the tub in the direction of the arrows alongthe-line TENT 0mmii};

3--3 in Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is another fragmentary vertical sectional view ofthe upper portion of the machine, taken transversely of the tub in thedirection of the arrows along the line 4-4 in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is anenlarged longitudinal sectional view of the compound screwdevice-embodied in the water extracting mechanism incorporated in themachine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an electric diagram of the circuitcontrol network for the machine shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a fragmentaryvertical sectional View of the upper portion of a modified form of theclothes washing machine embodying the present invention, this viewbeingtaken longitudinally of the tub and corresponding to Fig. l andillustrating an alternative construction and arrangement of the tubincorporated in the machine; and Fig. 8 is. a vertical.

' sectional view of the modified form of the machine, taken transverselyof the tub in the direction of the arrows along the line 88 in Fig. 7.

rectly receiving the upper end of the housing II is provided with aslight upward taper toward the shoulder 33 so that when the top wall 3|is placed in the upper open end of the housing II, a snug fit issecured, whereby the outer surface of the provided, on the inner ends ofthe screws 35 ad- Referring nowto Figs. 1 to 6, inclusive, of thedrawings, there is, illustrated a. clothes. washing machine 0 of the.character of that disclosed in the-previously mentioned Castnerapplication and embodying the features of the present invention. Themachine |0 comprises an upstanding tubular. housing H of the wrap-aroundtype formed of' sheet metal and including connected front and rear wallsI 2 and I3 and side walls H and |5.. The. edges of the sheet from whichthe. housing ||.'is, formed are. overlapped and seamed in the rear Wall|3 as indicated at IS, the overlapped. edges: of the seam l6 beingsuitably secured together by spot welding, or the like. corners joiningadjacent ones of the walls 2, t3,:|4' and I5 are rounded in order tolend a finished appearance to. the housing and the lower edge. of eachof the walls is flanged inwardly intermediate the two adjacent cornerthereof. The. lower end ofthe housing I is supported by an arran ement.including four; feet I!- respectively. disposed at; the four roundedcorners of the housing Each foot. l'l comprises two angularly relatedsections 8 and I9 substantially channel-shaped in cross section andrespectively suitably'secured by spot welding, or the like, to the lowersurfaces of the adjacent flanges provided'. on the adjacent walls I2,l3, l4 and 5 at the; associated rounded corners of the housing l.Accordingly; the feet, reinforce the housing adjacent to the lowerportion thereof and at the rounded corners thereof lending rigiditythereto. I

In each foot l1 the. flanges of the section I8 extend downwardly inspaced relation and receive a. supporting roller 20, the roller 20 beingjournalled upon, a pin, not shown, extending between and secured to,the. lower extremities of the flanges of section |8. Accordingly, thehousing II is directly supported bythe four rollers 20 upon a floor, orthe like, in order to facilitate mobility of the machine I0, renderingit portable in an obvious manner.

The machine i0 also comprises a. top wall 3| that. is provided with adownwardly directed marginal flange or skirt 32 that is arranged withinthe upper open end of the housing Preferably, the. top wall 3| is of diecast metal construction and is generally rectangular inv plan"conforming to the general configuration of the upper open end of thehousing H The marginal flange is spaced slightly inwardly from the outerboundary of the top wall 3| in order to provide a surrounding shoulder33 that directly receives the upper edge of the housing Prefjacent tothe lugs 34 in order positively to anchor the upper ends of the sidewalls l4 and I! to the sides of the marginal flange 32 provided on thetopwall 3|.. Also a top opening 31 is formed inthe, top wall 31, the topopening 3.! being generally rectangular in plan. The front. edge. of thetop opening 3'! isv disposed somewhat further from the front edge of thetop wall 3| thanis the rear edge of the top. opening 31 from the rearedge of the top. wall 3|.. whereby the top. opening 31 is disposedsomewhat offset toward the rear of the top wall 3|. On the other hand,the side edges of, the top opening 31 aredisposed substantially equallyinwardly from the side edges of the top wall 3|. Also, a counter-recess38 is provided. in the top wall 3|, in surrounding relation with respectto the top opening 31 so as to provide an inwardly directed ledge 39.immediately surrounding the top opening 31.

A tub 4B is arranged in. the upper portion of the housing ii andcomprises connected; front and rear walls. 4| and 42, side walls 43. and44, and a. bottom wall 45. Preferably, the side walls; 43 and 44 andthe, bottom wall. 45 are. of one-piece continuous construction, thebottom wall 45 being. substantially semi-cylindrical and joining theupstanding sidewall 43 and 44*, providing a throat therebetween. Thefront wall 4| is provided with a forwardlydirected marginal flange 46.arranged within the front ends of the side. walls 43 and 44 and the,bottom wall and suitably secured in place by line welding, or the like.Similarly, the rear. wall 42 is provided with a. rearwardly directedmarginal flange 41 arranged within the rear ends of the. side wallsv 43.and 44 and. the bottomv wall 45 and suitably secured in place by linewelding, or the like. The upper ends of the front and rear walls 4| and42 and the side walls 43; and 44 are provided with an outwardly directedmarginal flange indicated generally at 48 and disposed below andengaging the lower surface of the ledge 39. provided on the top wall 3|.Thus the tub 40 is provided with a top opening indicated generally at 49surrounded by the marginal flange 48v and registering with the topopening 31 provided in the top wall 3|. The tub 40 is supported directlyby the. top wall 3|v by an arrangement including a plurality of screws,50- extending through, openings provided inv the ledge 39 andthreadedinto aligned openings. provided in. the marginal flange 48. The,component parts of the tub 40, including the front. andrear walls 4| and42, the side walls. 43 and 44 and the bottom wall 45,, are formed ofsuitable. corrosion. resistant sheet metal, such, for example, asstainless steel.

Also, the machine l0, comprises, a top cover II that is substantiallyrectangular in plan, the

3 cover 5! being pressed from sheet metal, or the like. The cover 5| isoperatively associated with the top opening 31 provided-in the top wall3| and is mounted for movements between open and closed positions withrespect thereto upon two laterally spaced-apart hinge mechanisms 52suitably secured mutually to the rear portion of the top Wall 3! and tothe rear portion of the cover 5|. Also, the cover 5! is provided with amarginal flange or rim 53 that extends downwardly and is arranged withinthe recess 38 provided in the top Wall 3| when the cover 5! occupies itsclosed. position engaging the adjacent ledge 39 surrounding the topopening 3'! provided in the top wall 3!. Further, a depression 54 isprovided in the central front portion of the cover 5| and a handle 55formed of sheet metal, or the like, is rigidly secured within thedepression 54 in order to facilitate movements of the cover 5|. Finally,an opening 56 is formed in the depression 54 for the purpose of ventingthe interior of the tub 40 below the handle 55 to the exterior when thecover 5! occupies its closed position. In view of the foregoing it willbe understood that the cover 5! may be readily moved between its closedand open positions with respect to the top openings 3! and 49respectively formed in the top wall 3! and in the tub M about the hingemechanisms 52 by utilizing the handle 55, the cover 5! being securedadjacent to the rear thereof to the hinge mechanisms 52, as previouslynoted. The hinge mechanisms 52 are so constructed and arranged that whenthe cover 5! occupies its fully open position, it is disposed in aslightly upwardly inclined position with respect to the top Wall 3| andthereabove projecting rearwardly beyond the rear wall I3. On the otherhand, when the cover 5! occupies its fully closed position, the uppersurface thereof is disposed substantially flush with the top wall 35lending a finished appearance to the machine It. The ventilation of theinterior of the tub M through the opening 56 provided in the depression5 3 in the cover 5! below the handle 55 to the exterior prevents theaccumulation of musty atmosphere in the tub 40 when the cover 5!occupies its closed position. v a

An upstanding water extracting plate 51 is provided within the rear endof the tub 40 adjacent to the upstanding rear wall 42 and spacedslightly forwardly with respect thereto, the configuration of the plate51 conforming substantially to that of the rear Wall 42. The plate 51 isprovided adjacent to the upper end thereof with a rearwardly directedflange 58 engaging both the front surface of the rear wall t; and theundersurface of the ledge 39 adjacent to the rear edge of the topopening 31 formed in the top wall 3!, whereby the front surface of theplate 5'! is disposed substantially in vertical alignment with the rearedge of the top opening 31, the plate 51 being secured in place by aseries jacent face of the rear wall 42 and 'the front ends of thestanchions. 6| being suitably secured in aligned openings 62 provided inthe plate 51.

' Accordingly, the upstanding rear wall 42 and the of screws 59extending through openings provided in the rear portion of the ledge 3tand rether, the position of the plate 5'! spaced forwardly with respectto the rear wall 42 is maintained by a series of spaced-apart stanchions6i disposed therebetween, the rear ends of the stanchions 5i beingsuitably secured to the adupstanding plate 5! define an upstanding,space 63 therebetween with which a downwardly ex.- tending drainconnection 64 formed in the bottom wall 45 of the tub 40 communicates.Further, a substantially cusp-shaped cut-out 65 is formed in the lowerportion of the plate 51 and communicating between the principalinterior'of the tub 40 and the space 63 adjacent to the drain connection64.

A forwardly directed substantially annularq emboss 65 is formed in thecentral portion of the plate 51 in order to provide a substantiallycircular recess 67 surrounded thereby, the centers of the emboss'sfi andof the recess =6! being substantially coincident with each otherand'with the arc of the bottom wall 45 of the tub 4a A substantiallydisk-like dasher plate 68 is arranged within therecess B1 and mountedupon the front end of a drive shaft 69 that extends through alignedopenings respectively formed in the rear wall 42 and in the plate 5?.More'parlongitudinal axis of the tub 40 in bearing structure includingcomplementary sections Wand TH respectively disposed interiorly andexteriorly of the rear wall 42 adjacent to the center of the emboss 65,whereby the sections 'lil and =1 l provide a liquid-tight jointsurrouding: the opening provided in the rear wall 42 and preventing theescape from the tub All of wash water along the drive shaft 69. The rearend of the drive shaft 59 carries a pulley 12 rigidly secured thereto,whereby the drive shaft 69 and the dasher plate 58 may be rotatedunidirectionally. The rear wall 42 of the tub 4B is spaced forwardlywith respect to the rear wall I3 of the' housing- H and the pulley i2 isarranged in this space.

As best shown in Fig. 4, the dasher plate 68 is rotated unidirectionallyin the clockwise .direc tion as viewed from the front face thereof, and

carries on its front face three relatively shallow outstanding vanes 13,74 and '15, i the 'vanefla being disposed on one side of thecenter ofrota tion of the dasher plate 68 andthe vanes 74. and

'l 5.being disposed on the other side of the center of rotation of thedasher plate 68 and in radial spaced-apart relation with respect toeachother. The vanes 13, it and 15 are removed-from the center ofrotation of the dasher plate 68 and extended in a crosswise to radialdirection with respect to the-center of rotation of the dasher plate 58,each of the vanes l3, l4 and l5'being tapered and provided with leadingand trailing ends with respect to the direction of rotation of thedasher plate 68 so that the leading end of each vane is closer than thetrailing end-thereof to the front face of the dasher plate 68. Forexample, the leading ends of the vanes 13,14 and 15 marked L may be inthe plane of the front face of the dasher plate 68, while, the trailingends of the vanes marked T may be disposed outwardly therefrom, thetaper being continuous between the ends L and T.

Also,--a shallow recess 16 is Provided in the frontface of the dasherplate 68 between the vanes l4-and;-.15, this recess IS assisting in therelease of the clothes from the front face of the dasher plate 68 asexplained more fully herein'after. The'central portion of the dasherplate '68 is provided. with a forwardly directed boss 1! having ah'ole18 therein that receives the front end of the operating shaft 89, aspreviously noted. Also, a substantially annular resilient element 19formed of rubber, or the like, is suitably secured upon the peripheraledge or the dasher plate 68 in order'to prevent working of the clothescontained in. the tub 40 between the dasher plate 68 and the plate 51and the consequent breakage of buttons, or the like, carried upon theclothes.

Also, the machine i comprises an upstanding water extracting plunger 80arranged within the front end of the tub 40 and adjacent to theupstanding front wall 4|, the plunger '80 being movable toward and awayfrom the opposed upstanding plate 51. The plunger 80' is spacedrearwardly of the front wall 4| and has a configuration conformingsubstantially to that of the front wall 4| as well as to that of theplate 51. Specifically, the plunger 80 comprises a relatively rigidmetal backing plate 8| carrying a substantially L-shaped guide foot 82adjacent to the lower end thereof, which guide foot 82 is provided witha forwardly" extending toe 83 arranged in a longitudinally extendingguide channel or groove 84 formed in the lowermost portion of the bottomwall 45 and extending from a position adjacent to the front wall 4| to aposition adjacent to the rear wall 42 and merging into the drainconnection 64. Further, the plunger 80 comprises a hollow envelope 85provided with spaced-apart upstanding walls 86 and 81 and a connectingboundary wall 88 and enveloping a layer or block of compressiblematerial 89. Preferably, the block of compressible material 89 consistsessentially of porous sponge rubber, or the like, whilethe envelope 85consists essentially of elastic rubber, or the like, the walls of theenvelope 85 being impervious to the wash water contained in the tub 40and sealing the block 89 against the entrance of wash water thereto. Thewall 86 of the envelope 85 is directly secured to the adjacent face ofthe backing plate 8| employing rubber cement, or the like, whereby theface wall 81 of the envelope 85 is disposed in spaced relation withrespect to the plate 51 and cooperates therewith to define a clothesreceiving compartment 90 therebetween within the tub 40'. The boundarywall 88 of the envelope 85 is arranged in spaced relation with the sideand bottom walls 43, 44 and 45 of the tub 40 so that it does not drag orrub thereon as the plunger 80 is moved toward and away from the plate51, the movement of the plunger 80 with respect to the plate 51 beingguided by the toe 83 of the foot 82' sliding in the guide channel 84formed in the bottom wall 45 of the tub 40. Accordingly, it will beunderstood that the effective volume of the compartment 90 within thetub 40 and disposed between the face wall 81 of the plunger 80 and theface of the plate 51 maybe selectively adjusted dependent upon the loadof the clothes to be washed by selectively moving the plunger 80 towardor away from the plate 51 as explained more fully below. A substantiallycentrally disposed opening BI is formed in the front wall 4| and aflexible boot 92 formed of elastic rubber, or the like, is arrangedbetween the front wall 4| and the backing plate 8|, the boot 92 beingof' substantially annular accordion construction, one end of the. boot92 being sealed in liquidti'ght relation to the adjacent surface of thefront wall 4| surrounding. the opening 92 by an arrangement' including aring 93, and the other endof. the boot 92 being. sealed in liquid-tightrelation to the adjacent surface of the" backing plate 8| by anarrangement including a ring 94-. Preferably the adjacent one end of theboot 9! is clamped between the front wall 4| and the ring 93, and theadjacent other end of the boot 92 is clamped between the backing late 8|and the ring 94. In any case the boot 92 seals the front wall 4| to thebacking plate 8| preventing the escape of wash water from the tub 40through the opening 9| as the plunger is moved in the tub 40 toward andaway from the plate 51.

For the purpose of moving the plunger 80' toward and away from the plate51, mechanism is provided in the machine 0 that includes a compoundscrew device 95 arranged substantially along the longitudinal axis ofthe tub 40 and extending through the opening 9| formed in the front wall4| and within the boot 92. As best shown in Fig. 5, the compound screwdevice 95 comprises a central shaft 96 provided with an end portion 91supporting a surrounding sleeve 98', that, in turn, supports asurrounding sleeve 99, that, in turn, supports a surrounding barrel I00;The rear end 0f the barrel i00 terminates in an outwardly directedflange |0| that is directly'secured by a series of screws I02 to theadjacent central portion of the backing plate 8| of the plunger 80. Theexterior surface of the end portion 91 is threaded and engagescooperating threads provided in the interior surface of the surroundingsleeve 98; the exterior surface of the sleeve 98 is threaded and engagescooperating threads provided in the interior surface of' the surroundingsleeve 99; and the exterior surface of the sleeve 99- is threaded andengages cooperating threads provided in the interior surface of thebarrel |00. The elements 91, 9'8, 99 and I00 may be of die castconstruction. and the cooperating threads provided therein are pitchedin the left-hand direction so that when the shaft '96 is rotated in theclockwise direction, as viewed from the front of the machine I0, theelements 91, 98, 99 and Hill are expanded with respect to each othermoving the plunger 80 toward the plate 51. In order to insure that theend portion 91 is not threaded toward the right completely through thecooperating sleeve 98', an annular collar I02 is provided adjacent tothe left-hand end thereof that cooperates with the adjacent end of thesleeve 98; in order to insure that the sleeve 98 is not threaded towardthe right completely through the cooperating sleeve 99, an annular ringI03 is provided adjacent to the left-hand end thereof that cooperateswith the adjacent end. of the sleeve 99; and in order to insure that thesleeve 99 is not threaded toward the right completely through. thecooperating barrel I00, an annular ring N54 is provided adjacent to theleft-hand end thereof that cooperates with the adjacent end of thebarrel |00. In order to insure that the end portion 91 is not threadedtoward the left completely through the cooperating sleeve '98, anannular ring I05 is provided on the front end thereof that cooperateswith a counterbore I06 formed in the front end of the cooperating sleeve98 and ultimately engages an annular shoulder |01 disposed between thethreaded portion of the sleeve 68 and the counterbore I06; in order toinsure that the sleeve 98 is not threaded toward the left completelythrough the cooperating sleeve 99, an annular ring I98 is provided onthe front end thereof that cooperates with a counterbore I09 formed inthe front end of the cooperating sleeve 99 and ultimately engages anannular shoulder I I0 disposed between the threaded portion of thesleeve 99 and the counterbore |09; and in order to insure that thesleeve 99 is not threaded toward the left completely through thecooperatin barrel I99, an annular ring III is provided on the front endthereof that cooperates with a counterbore I I2 formed in the front endof the cooperating barrel I99 and ultimately engages an annular shoulderI I3 disposed between the threaded portion of the barrel I99 and thecounterbore H2.

In the arrangement of the device 95, the end portion 91, the sleeves 98and '99 and the barrel I99 may be approximately 6 inches long, and thecounterbores I95, I99 and I I2 respectively formed in the sleeves 93 and99 and in the barrel I99 may be approximately 4 inches long. Thus, thesleeve 98 may move approximately 4 inches with respect to the endportion 91 from its nested position thereon toward the right before thering I95 engages the shoulder I91; the sleeve '99 may move approximately4 inches with respect to the sleeve 98 from its nested position thereontoward the right before the ring I98 engages the shoulder H9; and thebarrel I99 may move approximately 4 inches with respect to the sleeve 99from its nested position thereon toward the.

right before the ring III engages the shoulder H3. Accordingly, thedevice 95, although occupying an over-all distance, when collapsed, ofapproximately 6 inches, is capable of an expansion of approximately 12inches, while retaining rigidity between the component elements 91, 98,99 and I99 from end-to-end thereof. Also, in the arrangement the sleeve98 may move completely in either direction its full stroke with respectto the end portion 91 before the sleeve 99 begins to move with respectto the sleeve 98; and the sleeve 99 may move completely in eitherdirection itsfull stroke with respect to the sleeve 98 before the barrelI99 begins to move with respect to the sleeve 99; all dependent upon therelative amounts of friction in the cooperating sets Of threads.

The dimensions of the screw device '95 providing the 12 inch strokethereof, as explained above, are appropriate when the tub 49 has theapproximate dimensions set forth below. When the. screw device 95occupies its fully retracted position as shown in Fig. l, the distancebetween the face of the plunger 89 and the face of the plate 51 may be19 inches; th distance between the face of the plate and the rear wall42 may be l inch; the thickness of the plunger 89 between the facethereof and the backing plate 8| may be 4 inches; and thedistancebetween the backing plate BI and the front wall 4i may be 1inches. Thus the distance between the front wall M and therear wall 42may be 16% inches; the distance between the front wa11,4I 0f the tub 49and the front wall I2 of the housing II may be 7 /2 inches; and thedistance between the rear wall 42 of the tub 49 and the rear wall I3 ofthe housing II may be 4 inches. The principal diameter of the bottomwall 45 through the longitudinal center of the operating shaft 99' maybe 18 inches; the distance between the mar- 10 tub 49 and the front wallI2 of the housing II.

More particularly, the two straps H4 and H5 cross each other adjacent tothe longitudinal center line of the tub 49 and carry at the cross abearing II 6 that supports the shaft 96 of the screw device 95. Thestrap H4 comprises two longitudinally extending legs Ill and H8 lyingalong two diametrically disposed exterior surfaces of the cylindricalbottom wall 45, the leg I I! being disposed adjacent to the side wall.43 and the leg I I9 being disposed well below the side wall 44.Similarly, the strap H5 comprises two longitudinally extending legs H9and I29 lying along two diametrically disposed exterior surfaces of thecylindrical bottom wall 45, the leg H9 being disposed adjacent to theside wall'44 and the leg I29 being disposed well below the side wall 43.Thus the upper legs Ill and H9 are disposed above the lower legs H8 andI29, an angle of approximately 60 being subtended between the legs H'I,I29 and between the legs H9, H8. The rear ends of the legs H1, H8, H9and I29 are bent over to provide hooks that overhang and engage thejunction between the rear edge of the bottom wall 45 and thefiange 47provided on the rear wall 42; and, likewise, the front ends of the legsIll, H8, H9 and I29 carry fixtures constituting hooks that overhang andengage the junction between the front edge of the bottom wall 45 and theflange 49 provided on the front wall 4!. The hooks H'Ia and I29arespectively provided on the rear ends of the legs II! and I29 and thefixtures II'Ib and I291) respectively carried by the front ends of thelegs H1 and I29 are illustrated in Fig. 1. Finally, front and rearthrust collars I2I and I22 are respectively carried by the shaft 96 ofthe device on opposite sides of the bearing I I 6; and a pulley I23 issecured to the extreme front end of the shaft 96. The front wall 4| ofthe tub 49 is arranged in spaced relation with respect to the front wallI2 of the housing II, and the screw device 95 and the pulley'I23 arearranged in this space, the screw device 95 projecting from this spacethrough the opening 9I formed in the front wall 4| into the tub 49 andinto engagement with the backing plate SI of the plunger 89. 'Further,the machine I9 comprises a longitudinally extending supporting plate I24disposed below the tub 49 and supported thereby by an arrangementincluding two laterally extending and longitudinally spaced-apart strapsI25 and I26, that are, in turn, carried by two laterally spaced-apartand longitudinally extending straps I27 and I28 that are secureddirectly to the bottom wall 45 of the tub 49. More particularly, therear ends of the straps I27 and I28 are bent over to provide hooks thatoverhang and engage the junction between the rear edge of the bottomwall 45 and the flange 4'! provided on the rear wall 42; while the frontends of the straps I21 and I28 are bent over to provide hooks thatoverhang and engage the junction between the front edge of the bottomwall 45 and the flange 46 provided on the front wall 4|. The hooks I2Iaand I2Ib respectively provided on the rear and front ends of the strap121 are illustrated in Fig. l. The opposite ends of the straps I25andI26 are suitably secured to the adjacent portions of the straps I21 andI28 by spot welding, or the like; while the supporting plate I24 issuitably secured to the intermediate portions of .the straps I25 and I26employing a series ofbolts I29 provided with cooperating nuts I39.

An electric drive motor I3I of the'reversible split-phase 110 volts A.C. type is secured to the lower surface of the plate I24 by anarrangement including a series of bolts I32 provided with cooperatingnuts I33. The motor I 3I is provided with a rotor carrying an operatingshaft I34 that projects longitudinally in opposite directions toward thefront wall I2 and toward the rear wall I3. The front end of theoperating shaft I34 is operatively connected to the bladed element of a.fluid drive or coupling mechanism I35 having an enclosing casing I36that is also bladed and contains a suitable quantity of hydraulicmedium, such, for example, as oil. Also, the fluid drive mechanism I35comprises a forwardly extending operating shaft I31 rigidly secured tothe casing I36 thereof and supported by a bearing hanger I36 that isalso suitably secured to the plate I24. Further, the plate I24 carries amechanical clutch mechanism I39 of the solenoid-controlled type andincluding two clutch plates, not shown, one of the clutch plates beingrigidly secured to the shaft I31 and the other of the clutch platesbeing secured to a shaft I40 supported by a bearing hanger I4I carriedby the plate I24. Further, a. pulley I42 is rigidly secured to theextreme front end of the shaft I40 in alignment with the pulley I23, thepulleys I23 and I42 being of the V-belt type and interconnected by aV-belt I43. The rear end of the operating shaft I34 is supported by abearing hanger I44 carried by the plate I24 and has mounted thereuponthe rotor, not shown, of a drain pump I45 that is also suitably securedto the plate I24. Further, the plate I24 carries a mechanical clutchmechanism I46 of the solenoid-controlled type and including two clutchplates, not shown, one of the clutch plates being rigidly secured to theoperating shaft I34 and the other of the clutch plates being secured toa shaft I41 supported by a bearing hanger I48 carried by the plate I24.Finally, a pulley I49 is rigidly secured to the extreme rear end of theshaft I41 in alignment with the pulley 12, the pulleys 12 and I49 beingof the V-belt type and interconnected by a V-belt I50.

The drain pump I45 is provided with a casing having an inlet connectionII and an outlet connection I52 and is operative to draw wash water intothe casing thereof through the inlet connection I5I and to discharge thewash liquid through the outlet connection I52 regardless of thedirection of rotation of the rotor thereof by the operating shaft I34 ofthe motor I3I. A drain valve I53 of the solenoid-controlled type isoperatively connected to the drain connection 64 communicating with thelower rear portion of the tub 40; and the drain valve I53 is operativelyconnected to the inlet connection I5I of the drain pump I45 by a shortsection of flexible hose I54 formedpf rubber, or the like. Similarly,the outlet connection I52 'of the drain pump I45 is connected by asection of flexible hose I55 formed of rubber, or the like, to theexterior, the hose I55 projecting through an Opening I56 formed in therear wall I3 of the housing I I and carrying a fixture, not shown, onthe outer end thereof that may be operatively associated with a laundrytray, or other drain plumbing in the laundry room in which the machineI0 is arranged. Finally, a service opening I51 is formed in the frontwall I2 of the housing II in order to aifordaccess to the pulley I23 andtheassociated belt I 43, the service opening I51 being normally closedby a service cover I58 suitably removably secured in place upon thefront wall I2. Similar- Ir, a service opening I59 i formed in the rear12 wall I3 of the housing II in order to afford ac-' cess to the pulley12 and the associated belt I50. the service opening I59 being normallyclosed by a service cover I60 suitably removably secured in place uponthe rear wall I3.

For the purpose of controllin the washing mechanism, including thedasher plate 68, an electric control switch I6I of the manually operabletwo-position type is mounted in an opening I 62 provided in the rearleft-hand portion of the top wall 3I adjacent to and to the left of theleft-hand hinge mechanism 52, the switch I6I being provided with amanual operating handle I63 that is restrained in either one of its twooperating positions when operated thereto. For the purpose ofcontrolling the screw device 95, and consequently the position of theplunger with respect to the plate 51, an electric control switch I64 ofthe manually operable three-position type is mounted in an opening I65provided in the rear right-hand portion of the top wall 3| adjacent toand to the right of the right-hand hinge mechanism 52, the switch I64being provided with a manual operating handle I66 that is restrained inany one of its three operating positions when operated thereto. Theelectric control network for the machine I0 further comprises twoelectro-magnetic relays I61 and I68 that may be mounted on the uppersurface of the plate I24 adjacent to the front end thereof; also, thecircuit network for the machine I0 comprises a limit switch I69 arrangedbetween the rear wall 42 and the plate 51 and secured to the flange 58and positioned substantially centrally with respect to the side walls 43and 44, the limit switch I69 being provided with a forwardly projectingplunger I10 extending through one of the holes 60 provided in the plate51 and employed for a purpose more fully explained hereinafter.

The connection and arrangement of the control network of the variouselements of the machine I0 will best be understood by reference to Fig.6, wherein there is illustrated diagrammatically the elements mentioned.In the circuit network, a commercial 60 cycle 110 volts A. C. source isemployed, one conductor thereof being grounded in the machine I0 andindicated by the sign and the other conductor thereof being ungroundedin the machine I0 and indicated by the sign The motor I3I is of thesplitphase type, as previously .noted, and includes a main operatingwinding HI and an auxiliary starting winding I12, as well as acentrifugal speed-responsive circuit controller or switch I13 governedby the speed of operation of the oper ating shaft I34 thereof andoperative to interrupt the circuit for energizing the auxiliary windingI12 in response to rotation of the operating shaft I34 at a speed ofapproximately normal speed or any speed thereabove. The switch I6Icomprises six individual springs; and the switch I64 comprises fiveindividual springs. The details of the control network will best beunderstood in conjunction with the description of the various operationsof the machine I0 appearing hereinafter.

Now assuming that the user wishes to wash a given load of clothes, shefirst seizes the handle 55 and moves the cover 5I into its open positionwith respect to the top openings 31 and 49 and examines the effectivevolume of the compartment defined between the plate 51 and the plunger80. The user may decide that the effective volume of the compartment 90within the 13, tub 4B is too large in view of the small load of clothesto be washed; whereupon, she operates the switch IE4 from its ofiposition into its contract position, the switch IBI being in its "ofiposition. When the switch I64 is thus operated from its off positioninto its contract position, a circuit including the Ia contacts of theswitch I SI, the conductor I'M, the contacts XI of the switch I99, theconductor I11, the contacts 201. of the switch IBI and the conductor Iis completed for energizing the winding of the relay I61, whereby thelatter relay operates to close its contacts. The relay I61 closes at itscontacts Ib and 2b circuits for respectively poling the switchconductors I82 and I8I and whereby the auxiliary winding I12 of themotor I3I is energized in a predetermined direction; and the relay I61closes at its contacts 329 a circuit, including the conductor I99, forenergizing the main winding I1I of the motor I3I. At this time, in viewof the direction in which the auxiliary winding I12 of the motor I3I isenergized, the rotor thereof, and consequently the operating shaft I34,are rotated in the clockwise direction as viewed from the front of themachine I9. As soon as the rotor of the motor I3I gains approximatelyspeed, the speedresponsive switch I13 is operated to interrupt thecircuit for energizing the auxiliary winding Il'E thereof, whereby themotor I3I continues to rotate in the same direction, as previouslynoted, by virtue of the continued energization' of the main winding I1Ithereof. Also, when the switch IE2 is operated from its off positioninto its contract position, there is completed, at the contacts YIthereof, a circuit, including the contacts Id of the switch IBI, theconductor I15, and the contacts XI of the switch I65, for applyingpositive potential to the conductor I18,-

whereby the solenoid of the drain valve I53 and the solenoid of theclutch mechanism I39 are energized in multiple. The solenoid valve I53is operated into its open position in order to permit the drain pump M5to pump from the tube ii] any wash water that might be containedtherein. The clutch mechanism I39 is operated into its clutchedposition, whereby the shafts I31 and I49 are operatively clutchedtogether. At this time the operating shaft I34 of the motor ISI drivesthe shaft I31 through the fluid coupling mechanism I35, whereby thedriven shaft I99 effects rotation of the pulley I42 in the clockwisedirection so that the pulley I23 is rotated in the clockwise directionthrough the V-belt I93. When the pulley I23 is thusrotated in theclockwise direction, the shaft 96 is rotated in the clockwise directioncausing the screw device 95 to expand the elements 91, 98, 99 and I99with respect to each other, whereby there is exerted between the bearingIIS and the backing plate 3| an expansive force urging the plunger 99away from the front wall II and toward the plate 51, whereby theeffective volume of the chamber 99 disposed between the plunger 89 andthe plate 51 is reduced.

When the volume of the chamber 99 has been contracted to a sizeappropriate to the user in view of the load of the clothes to be washed,the

user operates the switch I69 from its contract position back into itsoif position, thereby to interrupt the previously traced circuits forenergizing the Winding of the relay I61 and for energizing the solenoidsof the clutch mechanism I39 and of the drain valve I53. The relay I91restores to interrupt, at its contacts 3b, the cir-- cuit for energizingthe main winding I,1I of .themotor .-I3I; and interrupts at its contactsIb and 2b the paths for poling the switchxcon- When thesolenoid ofythe.

ductors I82 and ISI. clutch mechanism I39 is thus de-energized, theclutch mechanism I39 declutches the shafts. I31 and I49; and when thesolenoid of the drain valve I53 is thus tie-energized, the, drain valveI53 is returned to its closed position. Of course,v

rotation of the motor I3I is arrested closing the speed-responsiveswitch I13, and the machine I0 is now in its rest position with thevolume of the compartment 99 in its adjusted position. suitable to theuser. Y

Upon examining the eifective volume ;of the compartment. 99, the usermay decide that the. effective volume thereof is too small in view ofthe large load of clothes to be washed; where-,

upon she operates the switch I54 from its oif position into its"expandposition, the switch IEI being in its ofi position. When the switch IE9is thus operated from its off position into its expand position, acircuit, including the Ib' contacts of the switch I6I, the conductorI14,-

the contacts X2 of the switch I64, and the conductor I19, is completedfor energizing the winding ofthe relay IE8, whereby the latter relayoperates to close its contacts. The relay I58 closes, at its contacts I0and 2c, circuits for respectively poling the switch conductors I82 andI81 -I and whereby the auxiliary winding I12 of the motor I3I isenergized in a direction opposite to the predetermined directionpreviously mentioned; and the relay I68 closes, atitsconfront of themachine III. As soon as the rotor ofthe motor I3I gains approximately A;speed, thespeed-responsive switch I13 is operated to interrupt thecircuit for energizing the auxiliary" winding I12 thereof, whereby themotor I3I continues to rotate in the same direction, as"pre-- viouslynoted, by virtue of the continued energization of the main winding I1Ithereof.- Also, when the switch I 64 is operated from-its off positioninto its expand position, there is completed, at the contacts Y2thereof, a cir-- cuit, including the contacts Id of the switch IBI, theconductor I14, and the contacts X2 of the switch I94, for applyingpositive potential to the conductor I18, whereby the solenoid of thedrain valve I53 and the solenoid of the clutch mechanism I39 areenergized in multiple. The solenoid valve I53 is operated into its openposition-in order to permit the drain'pump I to pump from the tub 49 anywash water that might be contained therein. The clutch mechanism I39 isoperated into its clutch position, whereby the shafts I31 and III!) areoperatively clutched to- I42 in the counterclockwise direction" so thatthe pulley I23 is rotated in the counterclockwise direction by theV-belt I43. When the pulley I23 is thus rotated in the counterclockwisedirection,- the shaft 96 is rotated in the counterclockwise directioncausing the screw device 95 to contract 7 the elements 91, 98, 99 andI00 with respect to I34, are rotated in the I35, whereby theeach other;whereby there is exerted. between the bearing: H6 and the backing platetil a con tractive: force urging the plunger 80 toward the frontwail-14L and away from the late 51 whereby the effective volume of thechamber til disposed between the plunger 80 and the plate: 5T isincreased;

Whenthe volume of the chamber 90 has been expanded to a size appropriateto the user in view of the load of the clothesto be washed, the useroperates the switch I64 from its expand position back into its oftposition, thereby to interrupt the previously traced circuits forenergizing the winding of the relay I68- and for energizmg. thesolenoids of the clutch mechanism I39 and" of. the drain valve I53. The:relay: I68 restores to interrupt, at its. contacts 3c, the circuit. forenergizing: the main winding III of the motor I'3I; and interrupts, atits contacts Ic and 2c,- the paths for poling the switch: conductors I82and: fill. When: the solenoid. of the clutch mechanism I39 is thus.d'e-energized, the clutch mechanism I39 declutches the shafts I31 and.I40; and: when the solenoid of the drain valve I53 is thus de en'ergizedthe drain valve I53 is returned to its closed position. Of'course,rotation of the motor I3I is arrested and the machine Iil is now in. itsrest position with the volume of the compartment 90- in its adjustedposition suitable to the user;

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that upon operating, therelay I61 poles the: auxiliary winding I'I-2 of the-motor I-3I forrotation inthe clockwise direction; and, upon operating, the relay I68poles. the: auxiliary winding I12 of th otor. I3I for rotation in thecounterclockwise direction. Upon operating, the clutch mechanism. I39operatively clutches the shafts I31 and I40, whereby the expansion orcontraction of the screw device 95 is selectivelycontrolled dependingupon the direction of rotation. of the motor' I3I. Also, since the fluidcoupling I35 is disposed between the drive shaft I34 and the shaft I31",the amount of power that may be transmitted from the: motor I31 to thescrew device 95 islimited. regardless ofthe directionof rotation of themotor I3I. the screw device 95 has been moved into its completely'expanded positionor into its completely collapsed position, the loadimposed upon the shafts I40 and I31 is suiiiciently great to obtain inthe fluid. coupling: I35 complete slippage between the drive shaft I34and the; shaft I-3'I,

thereby preventing. injury to the mechanism and the motor I3I.

In any'case after'the user has manipulated the switch I64 inorder toadjust the effective volume of the compartment 90 dependent upon theload of clothes to be washed, she places the clothes within thecompartment 90, fills the tub 40 with hot or warm wash water or liquidasrequired by thecharacter of the fabrics to be washed; and then placesanappropriate amount of detergent in the wash water. containedin the tub40; Nor mallyfi the wash water is placed in the tub 40' so that theheadthereof rises somewhat above the upper portion of the annularemboss- 66 com-- pletely submerging the dasher plate 68-. At thistimethe cover 5I is returnedto its closed post-- tion by the user andthe switch IBI is operated from its off position into its washposition.-

When the switch IE1 is thus operated into its wash position, there iscompleted, at the X3 contacts thereof, alcircuit, including the conduc=-tor Hi ter energizing. the winding ofthe relay" In other words, after I6I61 in order to cause the latter relay to operate and: bring aboutrotation of the rotor of the motor MI in the clockwisedirection in themanner previously explained. Also, when the switch-I61 is thus operatedinto its wash position, there is completed, at the Y3 contacts thereof,a circuit, including the X3 contacts thereof, the limit switch I69, andthe conductor I16 for energizing the solenoid of the clutch mechanismI46, whereby the clutch mechanism I48 operates-operatively to clutchtogether the shafts I34 and. I41. Accordingly, the operating shaft I34rotating in the clockwise directiomas viewedfrom the front. of.- themachine I0,.rotates the shaft I41 and the pulley I49 in the clockwisedirection, whereby the. pulley I2 is rotated in the clockwise directionthrough the V-belt I 53 causing the operating shaft 69 andv the dasherplate 68 to be rotatedinthe clockwise direction.- When the dasher plate88' is thus rotated in the clockwise direction, it moves andrearrangesthe clothes contained in the compartment 90' formed in the tub 40 in asubstantially circular upstandingpath. Specifically, the dasher plate 68lightly grasps the clothes as it is rotated unidirectionally in theclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 4, by an angular shearing contacttherewith and then quickly discharges the clothes in order that they aremovedand rearranged in the substantially circular upstanding path, aspreviously noted. This angular shearingv contact with which the clothesare light-- ly grasped is effected largely by the disposition of theshallow tapered vanes 13, I4 and. I5- provided upon the-front face ofthedasher plate 88; while this quick discharge of the clothes from theface of the dasher plate 68- is materially facili-' tate'd by theshallow recess I6- disposed in the front-face. of the dasher plate 68-and positioned between the vanes I4- and 1-5.

After the clothes have been washed by the ma-- chine I0, the-useroperates the switch IBI from its wash position back into its offposition in order to interrupt, at the contacts X3 thereof, the circuitfor energizing the winding of therelay IG-I; and to interrupt, at thecontacts X3 and Y3=' thereof, the circuit for energizingthe" solenoid ofthe clutch mechanism I46, The relay I61 restores in order to arrestoperation of the motor I3I in the manner previously explained; and theclutch mechanism I48 brings about declutching of the operating: shaftsI34 and the shaft I41- when the solenoid thereof isde-enefgiz'ed.Accordingly; rotation of the rotor of the motor I3I' is arrested, andthe drive connection between the operating shaft I34 and'the shaft I41is declutched' in order to" prevent further rota tion of thedasherplate6i! unidirectionally'in the clockwise direction.

In passing it is noted that whenthe switch I6'I occupies its washposition, there is interrupted at the contacts Ia and Za'thereof, thecross connections between the switch I61 and the switch I64, whereby theswitch I64 is rendered ineffec tive to control the contraction andexpansion or,

i the effective volume of the compartment 90 in the tub 40 at this time.This interlock arrangement prevents inadvertent operation of the switchI6 4- from exercising any control upon the screw device while theswitch- I'BI' occupiesits "wash position.

At this time the clothes contained in the com-- partment 90 formed inthe mo 40 have: been washed, and in: order to cause the machine It toextract the" wash wa'ter therefrom; theuse: merely operates the-switchI64-from its oil posi 17 tion into its contract position, after theswitch IBI has been returned from its wash position back into its offposition. When the switch I64 is thus operated into its contractposition at this time, the relay I61 is operated, the solenoid of theclutch mechanism I39 is energized, and

- the solenoid of the drain valve I53 is energized,

whereby the clutch mechanism I39 effectively clutches the shafts I31 andI40 and the solenoid valve I53 is operated to its open position; all inthe manner previously explained. When the solenoid valve I53 is thusoperated to its open position, the wash water contained in the tub 49 isdrained from the drain connection 64 through the drain valve I53 and thehose I54 into the inlet connection I5I of the drain pump I45, wherebythe wash water is pumped by the drain pump I through the outletconnection I52 and the hose I55 to the laundry tray or to the drainplumbing in the laundry room in which the machine I0 is located. Also,at this time the rotor of the motor I3I is rotated in the clockwisedirection, and the clutch mechanism I39 is operated, whereby the screwdevice 95 is expanded forcing the plunger 39 toward the plate 51 in themanner previously explained. As movement of the plunger 89 toward theplate 51 continues, the clothes contained in the compartment 99 arecompressed between the face of the plunger 89 and the plate 51, wherebythe wash water absorbed '1 thereby is expressed therefrom through theholes provided in the plate 51 and falls into the drain connection 64 tobe pumped from the tub '40. This water extracting operation iscontinued, whereby the plunger firmly presses the clothes against theface 'of the plate 51 and holds the pressure thereon, the ultimatepressure exercised by the plunger 89 upon the clothes being limited bythe slipping action in the fluid coupling mechanism I35, as previouslyexplained. After the movement of the plunger 80 toward the plate 51 isarrested by the slipping action of the fiuid couplin mechanism I35, theuser may hold the clothes in compression between the plunger 89 and theplate 51 merely by restoring the switch I 64 from its contract positionback into its off position. When the switch I64 is thus operated backinto its off position, the relay I61 restores arresting operation of themotor I3 I, the clutch mechanism I39 effects declutching of the shaftsI31 and I46, and the drain valve I53 is returned to its closed position.Even though all of the electric circuits of the machine II) areinterrupted at this time, the pressure upon the clothes between the faceof the plunger 69 and the face of the plate 51 may be held for anydesired time interval in view of the fact that the screw device 95,being entirely mechanical, remains in its expanded position.

At any time after the water extraction operation has been performed inthe machine ID, the user may relieve the pressure upon the clothes byoperating the switch I64 from its off position into its expand position,whereby the electric circuits are controlled bringing about theretraction of the plunger BI! with respect to the plate 51; all in themanner previously explained. After the plunger so has been moved awayfrom the plate 51 in order to relieve the pressure upon the clothes, theswitch IE4 is again returned from its expand position back into its offposition in order again to arrest the operation of the machine II) andto interrupt all of the electric circuits incorporated therein. At thistime the user may open the cover 5| and then remove the 18 clothes fromthe compartment so thatthey may be placed in a drier to prepare them forironing.

In passing its is noted that when a water extracting operation is beingperformed in the ma- I chine III, the plunger 80 moves toward the plate51, whereby the clothes are compressed between the plunger 69 and theplate 51 in order to express the wash water therefrom as explainedabove, the face of the plunger 80 conforming to the clothes and thedasher plate 68 due to the resiliency of the compressible block 89,whereby the plunger I19 of the limit switch I69 is operated actuatingthe limit switch I69 into its open circuit position. When the limitswitch I69 is operated into its open circuit position, a point in thecircuit for energizing the solenoid of the clutch mechanism I 46 isinterrupted, thereby preventing rotation of the dasher plate 68 when theclothes in the machine ID are under compression between the plunger 89and the plate 51. This interlock arrangement is very advantageous inview of the fact that the switch I 6| might be inadvertently operatedfrom its off position into its wash position while the clothes areretained under compression between the plunger 80 and the plate 51,whereby rotation of the dasher plate 68 at this time might damage theclothes. When the switch I6I occupies its off position, the switch I64may be operated from'its off position into its expand position in orderto'relieve the compression upon the clothes between the plunger 80 andthe plate 51 as explained above, whereby the plunger I19 of the limitswitch I69 is released permitting the limit switch I69 to return to itsclosed circuit position in order to restore washing control again to theswitch IISI.

In view of the foregoing, it will be understood that in the machine I0,the top wall 3|, the tub 40, and all of the washing and water extractingapparatus comprises a subassembly supported and carried directly by theupper portion of the housing II. Specifically, the top wall 3| supportsdirectly the tub 49, and the tub 46 supports the remainder of thewashing and water extracting mechanisms. I

A modified form of the machine 2H1 embodying the features of the presentinvention isillustrated, in part, in Figs. '1 and 8. The modified formof the machine 2H! is fundamentally of the same construction as themachine I9 and com prises the upstanding tubular housing 2 I I formed ofsheet metal and supporting the'top wall '23I in the upper open endthereof, the top wall 23I having the top opening 231 formed therein. Thetub 249 is arranged in the upper-portion of the housing 2H and comprisesa tubular body 24I providing top, bottom and side walls 242, 243, and244, 245, the top wall 242 having a top opening 246 formed therein andregistering with the top opening 231 formed in the top wall 23 I. Also,the tub 245 comprises a rear wall 241 that is provided with a rearwardlydirected marginal flange 248 arranged within the rear end of the tubularbody MI and suitably secured in place by line welding, or the like. Thefront end of the tubular body 24I is provided with a surroundingoutwardly directed marginal flange 249. The water extracting plate 251is arranged within the tub 24B adjacent to the rear wall 241 anddefining the space 263 therebetween that communicates with the drainconnection 264 provided in the bottom wall 243 of the tub 249. The plate251 isof the construction previously described, and is retained 19 inplace by an arrangement including the stanchions 29L Also, the plate25'? has the substantially annular emboss 286 formed therein providingthe substantially annular depression 26? receiving the dasher plate 208of the construction previously described that is mounted upon theoperating shaft 269. The operating shaft 259 is journalled in thebearing arrangement including the complementary sections 210 and 21!.The upstanding plunger 280 is arranged in the front end of the tub 240and cooperates with the upstanding plate 251 to define the clothesreceiving compartment 200 therebetween within the tub 240.

The front end of the tub 240 is closed and rendered liquid-tight by anarrangement including a substantially torus-shaped flexible diaphragm40I formed of flexible rubber, or the like, the marginal edge of thediaphragm 40! being secured to the marginal flange 249 provided on thetub 240 by an arrangement including a surrounding ring 402 and a seriesof screws 403. The marginal edge of the diaphragm MI is arrangeddirectly between the marginal flange 249 and the ring 402 and issecurely clamped in position therebetween by the screws 403, the screws403 being received directly in threaded openings formed in the ring 402.The diaphragm MI is of continuous one-piece construction and extendsover the face of the plunger providing an enlarged opening 493 disposedsubstantially centrally of the longitudinal axis of the tub 240. Theplunger 280 further comprises the layer or block of compressiblematerial 289 formed of sponge rubber, or the like, as well as thebacking plate 28l to which the screw mechanism 295 is secured, the screwmechanism 295 extending through the central opening 403 provided in thediaphragm 40l. In this construction the backing plate 28l and the blockof compressible material 289 are disposed forwardly and entirelyexteriorly of the front face of the diaphragm 40! comprising the frontface of the plunger 280. Also, in this construction the plunger 280carries adjacent to the lower central portion thereof the guide foot 292that cooperates with the longitudinally extending guide channel orgroove 284 formed in the bottom wall 243 of the tub 240 for the purposeof guiding the movement of the plunger 289 toward and away from theplate 251. Further, in this construction the guide foot 232 may beformed of rubber, or the like, and vulcanized, or otherwise secured, tothe front face of the plunger 280.

The screw mechanism 295 is provided with the operating shaft 296 that issupported in the hearing 3|B and carries the pulley 323. In thisarrangement thestraps 314 and 315 that support the bearing 3I6 areprovided with rather short legs that extend toward the rear only behindthe marginal flange 249 disposed about the front end of the tub 240.Specifically, the ends of the legs of the straps 3M and 3|5 are bentinwardly to provide hooks that directly engage the rear face of themarginal flange 249 and are anchored in place by a series of screws 404extending through openings therein and threaded into openings providedin the ring 402, the hook 3l5a provided on the end of the leg of thestrap 3l5 being illustrated in Fig. '7.

In this construction the tub 240 carries the supporting plate 324therebelow upon which there is mounted the electric motor and otherelements of the washing and water extracting mechanisms. In this casethe plate 324 is supported by the transversely extending brackets 20 325and 326, that are, in turn, supported by the longitudinally extendingstraps 321 and 328 that are secured to the bottom wall 243 of the tub240. In this arrangement the front ends of the straps 321 and 328 areflanged inwardly to provide hooks that are directly retained in place bycooperating screws 405 threaded into openings provided in the ring 402,the hook 3211) provided on the front end of the strap 32'! beingillustrated in Fig. 7. Further, the top wall 242 of the tub 240 issecured directly to the under-surface of the top wall 23! by anarrangement including a substantially rectangular throat element 403disposed therebetween, the throat element 403 being secured directly .tothe upper portion of the marginal flange 249 by a series of screws 40'!threaded into openings formed in the ring 402, and secured directly tothe top wall 242 by a series of screws 408 threaded into openings formedin the top wall 242 and in the flanges 248 and 258 respectively providedon the rear wall 24'! and on the plate 251. Finally, the throat element406 is directly secured to the ledge 239 carried by the top wall 23! andsurrounding the top opening 231 by an arrangement including a series ofscrews 409. The remainder of the construction of the machine H0 is thesame as that of the machine [0 previously described, whereby the tub 240and all of the washing and water extracting mechanisms carried therebycomprise a subassembly, together with the top wall 23!, that issupported in the upper open end of the housing 2H.

The operation of the machine 2E0 is substantially identical to that ofthe machine 10 previ ously described; however, in this case, the screwdevice 295 is expanded and contracted through the central opening 403provided in the diaphragrn 30i effecting movement of the plunger 280toward and away from the plate 257 for the purpose previously described.

In view of the foregoing it is apparent that there has been provided aportable clothes washing machine that is especially suitable for use inapartments, or the like; which machine is of rugged and economicalconstruction and arrangement and that embodies both washing and waterextracting facilities and is efiicient in operation and is of attractiveappearance and design.

While there has been described What is at present considered to be thepreferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood thatvarious modifications may be made therein, and it is intended to coverin the appended claims all such modifications as fall within the truespirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A clothes washing machine comprising a tub including wall structureand a pair of opposed walls, the space in said tub disposed between saidwalls constituting a chamber adapted to contain clothes and wash liquid,a dasher arranged in said chamber in a submerged position with respectto the wash liquid contained therein and adjacent to one of said wallsand mounted thereon for rotation to effect a Washing action upon theclothes contained in said chamber, means for mounting the other of saidwalls for movements with respect to said wall structure toward and awayfrom said one wall, said other wall cooperating with said wall structureto confine the clothes in said chamber during operation of said dasher,movements of said other wall toward and away from said one wallaccommodating adjustment of the volume of said cham- 21 her dependingupon the load of the clothes to be washed, means for controlling thedraining of the wash liquid from said chamber during movement of saidother wall toward said one wall into close proximity with respectthereto to effect a squeezing action therebetween upon the clothescontained in said chamber in order to express the wash liquid therefrom,mechanism for selectively moving said other wall toward and away fromsaid one wall, and means for limitin the force exerted by said mechanismupon said other wall in its movement toward said one wall in order tolimit the squeezing action between said walls upon the clothes containedin said chamber.

2. A clothes washing machine comprising a tub including wall structureand a pair of opposed walls, the space in said tub disposed between saidwalls constituting a chamber adapted to contain clothes and Wash liquid,a dasher arranged in said chamber in a submerged position with respectto the wash liquid contained therein and adjacent to one of said wallsand mounted thereon for rotation, normally operative means for rotatingsaid dasher to effect awashing action upon the clothes contained in saidchamber, means for mounting the other of said walls for movements withrespect to said wall structure toward and away from said one wall, saidother wall cooperating with said wall structure to confine the clothesin said chamber during rotation of said dasher, movement of said otherwell toward and away from said one wall accommodating adjustment of thevolume of said chamber depending upon the load of the clothes to bewashed,

means for controlling-the draining of the wash liquid from said chamberduring movement of said other wall toward said one wall into closeproximity with respect thereto to eiTect a squeezing action therebetweenupon the clothes contained in said chamber in order to express the washliquid therefrom, mechanism for selectively movin said other wall towardand away from walls constituting a chamber adapted to contain clothesand wash liquid, a relatively fiat disk-like dasher arranged in saidchamber in a submerged position with respect to the wash liquidcontained therein and adjacent to one of said walls and mounted thereonfor rotation to effect a washing action upon the clothes contained insaid chamber, said one wall being rigid and the other of said wallsbeing flexible, a rigid backing plate arranged behind said other wall inspaced relation with respect thereto, a layer of compres sible materialarranged between said other wall and said backing plate, means formounting said backing plate and said layer of material and said otherwall for movements as a unit with respect to said wall structure towardand away from said one wall, said other wall cooperating with said wallstructure to confine the clothes in said chamber during rotation of saiddasher, movements of said other wall toward and away from said one wallaccommodatin adjustment of the volume of said chamber depending upon theload of the clothes to be Washed, means for controlling the draining ofthe wash liquid from said chamher during movement of said other walltoward said one wall into close proximity with respect thereto'to efiecta squeezing action therebetween upon the clothes contained in saidchamber in order'to express the wash liquid therefrom, said layer ofcompressible material accommodating deformation of said flexible otherwall to conform substantially to the clothes contained in said chamberand to the outer face of said dasher when said other wall is movedtoward said one wall into close proximity with respect thereto,

and mechanism operatively connected to saidbacking plate for selectivelymoving said backing plate and said layer of material and said other wallas a unit toward and away from said one wall.

'4. The clothes washing machine set forth in claim 3, wherein saidotherwall is formed essentially of a sheet of wash liquid imperviousrubber and said layer of compressible material is formed essentially ofa block of sponge rubber, and wherein the outer'surfaces of said layerof compressible material are sealed against the entry thereinto' of thewash liquid contained in said chamber.

5. A clothes washing machine comprising a tub including wall structureand a pair of opposed walls, the space in said tub disposed between saidwalls constituting a chamber adapted to contain clothes and wash liquid,a relativelyv fiat disk-like dasher arranged insaid chamber in a.

submerged position with respect to the wash liquid containedtherein andadjacent to one of said walls and mounted thereon for rotation to effecta washing action upon the clothes contained in said chamber, means formounting the other of said walls for movements with respect to said wallstructure toward and away from said one wall, said other wallcooperating with said wall structure to confine the clothes in saidchamber during'rotation of said dasher, means 'for controlling thedraining of the wash liquid from said chamber during movement of saidother wall toward said one wall into close proximity with respectthereto to efiect a squeezing action therebetween upon the clothescontained in said chamber in order to express the wash liquid therefrom,a bracket carried by said tub, mechanism arranged between said otherwall and said bracket for exertingselective pushing and pulling forcestherebetween in order se-' lectively to move said other wall toward andaway from said one wall, and means for limiting the forces exerted bysaid mechanism between said other wall and said bracket.

6. A clothes washing machine comprising a tub including wall structureand a pair of opposed Walls, the space in said tub disposed between saidwalls constitutin a chamber adapted to contain clothes and wash liquid,a relatively flat disklike dasher arranged in said chamber in asubmerged position with respect to the wash liquid contained therein andadjacent to one of said walls and mounted thereon for rotation to effecta washing action upon the clothes contained in said chamber, means formounting the other of said walls for movements with respect to said wallstructure toward and away from said one wall, said other wallcooperating with said wall structure to confine the clothes in saidchamber during rotationrof said dasher, movements of said other walltoward and away from said one wall accommodating adjustment of thevolume of said chamber depending upon the load of the clothes to bewashed, means for controlling the draining of the wash liquid from saidchamber during movement of said other wall toward said one wall intoclose proximity with respect there to to effect a squeezin actiontherebetween upon the clothes contained in said chamber inorder toexpress the wash liquid therefrom, mechanism selectively operative tomove said other wall toward and away from said one wall, an electricmotor carried by said tub, electric circuit means for selectivelyoperating said motor, and clutch means for selectively operating saidmechanism from said motor.

7. A clothes washing machine comprising a tub including an upstandingend wall and connecting wall structure provided with a top opening, anupstanding perforated wall arranged within said tub adjacent to said endwall and in spaced relation with respect thereto, a drain conduitcommunicating with the interior of said tub between said end wall andsaid perforated wall, an upstanding movable wall arranged within saidtub in opposed relation with said perforated Wall and cooperatingtherewith to define a chamber therebetween within said tub accessiblethrough said top opening and adapted to contain clothes and wash liquid,an upstanding relatively flat disk-like dasher arranged in said chamberin a submerged position with respect to the wash liquid containedtherein and adjacent to said perforated wall and mounted upon said endwall for rotation to effect a washing action upon the clothes containedin said chamber, said movable wall cooperating with said wall structureto confine the clothes in said chamber during rotation of said dasher,the position of said movable wall with respect to said perforated wallaccommodating adjustment of the volume of said chamber depending uponthe load of the clothes to be washed, movement of said movable wall intoclose proximity to said perforated wall effecting a squeezing actiontherebetween upon the clothes contained in said chamber in order toexpress the wash liquid therefrom, and mechanism for selectively movingsaid movable wall with respect to said wall structure toward and awayfrom said perforated wall.

8. The clothes washing machine set forth in claim '7, wherein said wallstructure and said movable wall carry cooperating guide elementsarranged in sliding relation with each other in order to guide themovements of said movable wall with respect to said wall structuretoward and away from said perforated wall.

9. A clothes washing machine comprising a tube including an upstandingend wall and connected wall structure provided with a top opening, anupstanding perforated wall arranged within said tub adjacent to said endwall and in spaced relation with respect thereto, a drain conduitcommunicating with the interior of said tub between said end wall andsaid perforatedwall, an upstanding flexible wall arranged within saidtub in opposed relation with respect to said perforated wall and sealedto said wall structure, said flexible wall cooperating with said endwall to define a chamber therebetween within said tub accessible throughsaid top opening and adapted to contain clothes and wash liquid, anupstanding relatively fiat disk-like dasher arranged in said chamber ina submerged position with respect to the wash liquid contained thereinand adjacent to said perforated wall and mounted upon said end wall forrotation to effect a washing action upon the clothes contained in saidchamber, said flexible wall being movable with respect to said wallstructure toward and away fromsaid perforated wall and said dasher, saidflexible wall cooperating with said wall structure to confine theclothes in said chamber during rotation of said dasher, movement of saidflexible wall into close proximity to said perforated Wall and saiddasher effecting a squeezing action therebetween upon the clothescontained in said chamber in order to express the wash liquid therefrom,and means for exerting a force between said tub and said flexible wallin order to move said flexible wall toward said perforated wall and saiddasher and into close proz-rimity with respect thereto.

10. A clothes washing maching comprising a tub including an upstandinend wall and connected wall structure provided with a top opening, theend of said wall structure opposite said end wall being open, aperforated wall arranged within said tub adjacent to said end wall andin spaced relation with respect thereto, a drain conduit communicatingwith the interior of said tub between said end Wall and said perforatedwall, a movable wall arranged within said tub in opposed relation withrespect to said perforated wall and adjacent to the open end of saidwall structure, a hollow flexible substantially torus-shaped diaphragmhaving a center opening and extending between the open end of said wallstructure and said movable wall and sealed thereto in order to close theopen end of said wall structure, said perforated wall and said movablewall defining a chamber therebetween within said tub accessible throughsaid top openliquid, at dasher arranged in said chamber adjacent to saidperforated wall and mounted upon said end wall for operation, means foroperating said dasher to effect a Washing action upon the clothescontained in said chamber, movement of said movable wall into closeproximity to said perforated wall effecting a squeezing actiontherebetween upon the clothes contained in said chamber in order toexpress the wash liquid therefrom, and mechanism extending from theexterior into the center opening provided in said substantiallytorus-shaped diaphragm for selectively moving said movable wall towardand away from said perforated wall, said diaphragm preventing the escapeof the wash liquid from said tub through the open end of said side wallregardless of the position of said movable well in said tub.

11. A clothes washing machine comprising a tub including an upstandingend wall and connected wall structure provided with a top opening, theend of said wall structure opposite said end wall being open andterminating in an outwardly directed marginal flange, a perforated wallarranged within said tub adjacent to said end wall and in spacedrelation with respect thereto, a drain conduit communicating with theinterior of said tub between said end wall and said perforated wall, aflexible movable wall arranged within said tub in opposed relation withrespect to said perforated wall and adjacent to the open end of saidwall structure, a hollow flexible substantially torus-shaped diaphragmhaving a center opening and extending between said marginal flange andsaid movable wall and sealed thereto in order to close the open end ofsaid wall structure, a rigid backing plate arranged within the centeropenin provided in said substantially torus-shaped diaphragm and behindsaid movable wall and in spaced relation with respect thereto, a layerof compressible material arranged between said movable wall and saidbacking plate, said movable wall and said layer of material and saidbacking plate being movable as a unit toward and away from saidperforated wall, said perforated wall and said movable wall defining achamber therebetween within said tub accessible through said top openingand adapted to contain clothes and wash liquid, a relatively flatdisk-like dasher arranged in said chamber adjacent to said perforatedwall and mounted upon said end wall for operation, means for operatingsaid dasher to effect a washing action upon the clothes contained insaid chamber, movement of said movable wall into close proximity to saidperforated wall effecting a squeezing action therebetween upon theclothes contained in said chamber in order to express the wash liquidtherefrom, and mechanism extending from the exterior into the centeropening provided in said substantially torus-shaped diaphragm and intoengagement with said backin plate for selectively moving said movablewall and said layer of material and said backing plate as a unit towardand away from said perforated wall, said diaphragm preventing the escapeof the wash liquid from said tub through the open end of said side wallregardless of the position of said movable wall in said tub.

12. A clothes washing machine comprising an expansible-ccntractible tubadjustable in volume dependent upon the load of the clothes to bewashed, mechanism selectively operative to ex- REFERENCES CITED Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 447,520 Thorp Mar. 3, 18911,312,393 Franc Aug. 5, 1919 1,547,266 Robe July 28, 1925 1,627,438Hutchinson May 3, 1927 2,050,484 Burry Aug. 11,1936 2,147,303 Lang Feb.14, 1939 2,187,770 Chamberlin et a1. Jan. 23, 1940 2,417,998 Wales..-Mar. 25, 1947 2,434,352 Edwards Jan. 13, 1948 2,455,043 Calhoun Nov.30, 1948

